The Progressive Presidents Roosevelt Taft Wilson Theodore Roosevelt

The Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson

Theodore Roosevelt • • • Weak child, overcame weaknesses Wealthy family, Harvard cowboy Used media well in NY politics Wife, mother died on same day Wanted American Imperialism, “White man’s burden”

Young “Teedy” Roosevelt

• • • Roosevelt (cont. ) USS Maine explodes in Cuba Begins Spanish-American War Made “Rough Riders” to attack Spain Famous San Juan Hill charge—hero Made governor of NY, VP Mc. Kinley assassination makes him president (new, active man) • Protects natural resources

Rough Rider

Roosevelt (cont. ) • “Speak softly and carry a big stick” • Used “Panama revolution” to build and control canal under Monroe Doctrine. • Broke monopolies when abusive—ie. railroads but not steel. • Supported unions if honest. • Feared socialism, re-elected to “Bully Pulpit”.

William Howard Taft

Roosevelt • Chose P. R. nightmare, tariff problemplagued Taft as successor, regretted it. • Taft alienated Progressives/T. R. • 1912—T. R. ran against Taft as Progressive “Bull Moose Party” (shot, finishes speech) • Taft and Roosevelt defeated by democrat Woodrow Wilson.

1912 Election Results • • Woodrow Wilson (435) Teddy Roosevelt (88) William Howard Taft (8) Eugene Debs (0) Socialist Party=6% of vote Runs for pres. from prison in 1920

Woodrow Wilson • Wilson continues progressive reforms • Creates Federal Reserve and Federal Trade Commission to manage finance. • Direct federal income tax created. • Major racist, expels all African Americans from government positions. • Reelected 1916 under slogan “He kept us out of war. ”

Woodrow Wilson